In short (updated October 2026): the online Sri Lanka Arrival Card (introduced in January 2023) is no longer available, and travellers have reported since early 2025 that no arrival card is needed at the airport. What you do need is an ETA from eta.gov.lk before arrival. Since 25 May 2026 the 30-day tourist ETA is free for nationals of 40 countries (including the UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, India and Malaysia); other nationalities pay US$50 (SAARC US$20).
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was a mandatory immigration declaration form required for all arriving foreign nationals, completed online via immigration.gov.lk up to 3 days before travel.
Its online form has stopped working (no official end date was announced). Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free for 40 nationalities, but it still has to be obtained – apply at eta.gov.lk before you travel.
What Was the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was an immigration form that all foreign nationals were required to complete before entering Sri Lanka.
Introduced in January 2023, the card was completed online through the official Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration portal at immigration.gov.lk — up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival date.
The arrival card collected key traveler information: passport details, flight number, port of entry, and accommodation address in Sri Lanka.
Upon submission, visitors received a confirmation email with a reference number to present at immigration upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, or Galle Port.
The card was part of a broader digitalization of arrival and departure facilities by Sri Lanka immigration, replacing the paper-based disembarkation card previously handed out on flights.
Is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card Still Required?
In practice, the Sri Lanka Arrival Card is no longer required. The official online form no longer works and travellers have reported since early 2025 that no card is checked on arrival.
Travelers don’t need to complete this form before entering Sri Lanka.
The discontinuation caught many visitors off guard — particularly those who had previously used the system and were searching for the link, only to find it no longer working.
When Was It Discontinued?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card online system was launched in January 2023 and discontinued in early 2025.
The exact end date has not been officially announced by Sri Lanka immigration. Forum reports from early 2025 show the system was already inactive, and the official form address (eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation) returned an error when we checked in October 2026.
Travellers report that paper arrival cards are no longer handed out either. If you are nevertheless given one on the plane or at the airport, simply fill it in – it is free.
What Replaced the Arrival Card?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) replaced the arrival card as the primary pre-departure entry requirement for Sri Lanka.
The ETA is applied for online at eta.gov.lk and should be obtained before arrival in Sri Lanka.
Key differences between the arrival card and ETA:
| Feature | Arrival Card (discontinued) | ETA (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | ❌ Discontinued | ✅ Active |
| Cost | Free | Free for 40 countries; otherwise US$50 (SAARC US$20) |
| Portal | immigration.gov.lk | eta.gov.lk |
| When to apply | Up to 3 days before travel | Before arrival (apply a few days early) |
| Processing time | Instant | Often within hours; allow up to 3 days |
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Timeline: 2023–2026
No single source covers the complete story of the Sri Lanka Arrival Card — from its launch to the rapidly changing ETA rules that followed its discontinuation.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2023 | Sri Lanka’s online arrival card system launched via immigration.gov.lk. All foreign nationals were required to complete the form up to 3 days before travel. |
| Early 2025 | The online arrival card stops working (no official announcement). Travellers report that no arrival card is required on arrival. |
| 13–30 October 2025 | Immigration announces a compulsory pre-arrival ETA from 15 October 2025 – and revokes the announcement on 30 October 2025. Visa procedures continue as before. |
| 25 May 2026 | The 30-day tourist ETA becomes free for nationals of 40 countries (and for the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore). An ETA is still required before arrival. |
⚠️ NOTE: Sri Lanka’s entry requirements changed multiple times. Always verify the current status at eta.gov.lk and immigration.gov.lk before your trip.
How to Apply for the Sri Lanka ETA Online
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now the primary entry requirement for most people visiting to Sri Lanka.
The ETA system replaced the old arrival card process and must be completed before travel. Applications are submitted online at eta.gov.lk.
1. Visit the official ETA website — navigate to the “Apply for an ETA” section.
2. Select travel type — choose either tourist, business, or transit ETA.
3. Enter personal details — full name (as on passport), nationality, date of birth, passport number, passport expiry date.
4. Provide information — arrival and departure dates, port of entry (e.g., Colombo, Mattala).
5. Enter accommodation details — hotel name and full address in Sri Lanka.
6. Review and confirm — double-check all entries before final submission.
7. Pay the ETA fee if one applies — the tourist ETA is free for 40 nationalities; others pay US$50 (SAARC US$20) by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
8. Receive confirmation — Save and print a copy or keep it on your phone for presentation at immigration.
Sri Lanka ETA: Required Documents
Before applying for the ETA, make sure you have:
- Passport — with a minimum of 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates
- Accommodation booking — full address required
- Payment card — only if your nationality pays an ETA fee
- Trip information — necessary details about the trip
According to eta.gov.lk, all foreign nationals (apart from certain diplomatic and official passport holders) must obtain an ETA before arriving – including citizens of the 40 countries that receive it free of charge.
Who Needed Sri Lanka Arrival Card
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was needed for all foreign visitors regardless of nationality — no exemptions applied.
Every traveler entering Sri Lanka (except Sri Lankan citizens) was required to complete the form.
As of 2025, the arrival card is discontinued for all nationalities. The ETA rule and eligibility vary — check the current status at eta.gov.lk.
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Cost & Fees
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was completely free of charge. No fee was required to complete or submit the online form at immigration.gov.lk.
There were no processing fees, service charges, or government fees associated with the arrival card.
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is free since 25 May 2026 for nationals of 40 countries; other travellers pay US$50 for a tourist ETA (SAARC US$20). Children under 12 and transit ETAs are free.
| Document | Cost | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Arrival Card (discontinued) | Free | immigration.gov.lk (inactive) |
| Sri Lanka ETA (current) | Free for 40 countries; otherwise US$50 (SAARC US$20) | eta.gov.lk |
What to Do Instead: Apply for the Sri Lanka ETA
Instead of an arrival card, apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at eta.gov.lk before you travel.
The application takes 10–15 minutes; approval often arrives within hours, but apply a few days before departure to be safe.
A visa on arrival is still sold at the airport (US$60, SAARC US$25), but it costs more and means queuing – the October 2025 plan to end on-arrival processing was revoked.
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Synonyms & Related Forms
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was known by several names — all referring to the same discontinued immigration document.
Understanding these synonyms helps travelers searching for information under different terms.
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was the same as:
- Landing card — the most common informal name
- Disembarkation card — the term used by official immigration sources
- Entry form — informal name used in travel forums
- Immigration form — informal name used in trip advisories
- Passenger card — informal name used in some airline communications
- Arrival and departure card — the full official name of the combined document system
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card is NOT the same as:
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — a separate pre-arrival authorization, free for 40 nationalities since May 2026; it is what you need today instead of an arrival card
- e-Visa — the VFS Global e-Visa system launched in April 2024 and suspended by the Supreme Court in August 2024
- Visa on arrival — a paid visa still issued at the airport (US$60)
If you are searching for the “Sri Lanka landing card,” “Sri Lanka disembarkation card,” “e-Embarkation” or “Sri Lanka immigration form,” these all refer to the same arrival card, whose online version is no longer available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card still required?
In practice, no. The online form no longer works and travellers have reported since early 2025 that no card is required on arrival. You do need an ETA from eta.gov.lk.
What replaced the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) replaced the arrival card as the primary pre-departure entry requirement. Apply at eta.gov.lk before your trip.
Is there a fee for the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The arrival card was always free. The ETA is free for nationals of 40 countries since 25 May 2026; others pay US$50 (SAARC US$20).
How early should I apply for a Sri Lanka ETA?
Apply a few days before travel. Approval often arrives within hours, but allow up to 3 days and do not leave it until the day of departure.
Do I need to fill out an arrival card in Sri Lanka?
According to traveller reports, no. If you are nevertheless handed a paper card on the plane or at the airport, fill it in – it is free.
Where do I get a Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
Nowhere online – the official arrival card form is no longer active. For current entry requirements, visit eta.gov.lk.
What is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was a mandatory immigration declaration form for all arriving foreign nationals, completed online via immigration.gov.lk up to 3 days before travel.
Can I get a physical arrival card at the airport?
Paper cards used to be handed out on flights and at Bandaranaike International Airport. Travellers now report that they are no longer required; if you are given one, fill it in.